Our Calling 

            Both Mindy and I (Bret) have had experience working with missionary kids (MKs) that lead us to believe we were called to serve God through an MK ministry.     I (Bret) spent a year-and-a-half in Kenya as a missionary.  Although I went there to introduce the Maasai churches to youth ministry, I found myself involved in a number of other projects.  Through the year-and-half-there, my heart was continually touched by the MKs on my team.  I enjoyed hanging out with them and hearing their stories.  I listened to them struggle through various issues relating to an MK life.

            Before returning back to the States, my mission team encouraged me to work at West Nairobi School (Wycliffe affiliated) and explore the calling to an MK ministry.  At WNS, I was brought on to be a part-time teacher and part time counselor.  The highlight was teaching a transitional seminar for juniors and seniors.  The premise was to prepare students for college life in America.  It was obvious to me how important a class like this was to prepare the students for living Stateside.  Outside of the school setting, I ran a youth group and organized a weekend camp for students.  Returning back to the States in 2000, I believed that God had plans for me in developing an MK ministry.

            Meanwhile, Mindy spent a year in Australia doing a University ministry.  She has always been passionate about discipling others.  While in Australia, she found herself discipling one of the MKs on her team.  She found it a valuable experience and believed that God might indeed be calling her to join Bret in an MK ministry.

            Upon returning to the States and getting married, Bret and Mindy looked to return immediately overseas to serve in an MK ministry.  The concept of an MK ministry was foreign to almost all the organizations we contacted.  Many assumed we just wanted to be teachers or dorm parents at a boarding school.  Although valuable ministries, we felt it important to develop a broader ministry strategy to MKs.

            When Wycliffe Bible Translators contacted us and told us they had a need for a youth pastor to work with the 100 plus MKs stationed or passing through the JAARS center in North Carolina, it seemed like a perfect entry point into the ministry we envisioned.

Short Term Plan:

·        Serve as Director of Youth Ministries at the JAARS center in North Carolina to the 100 plus Junior and Senior High MKs living there.

·        Work on an MDiv with a Pastoral Counseling emphasis to help enhance my skills and refine the vision for working with MKs.

·        Network with organizations that provide ministries and resources to assist MKs

Long Term Plan:

·        Develop a ministry strategy to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of MKs

·        Partner with churches in increasing care and support to MKs

·        Centralize MK resources for missionary families to easily locate the resources they need

·        Develop and enhance resources for MKs and families where needs still exist

·        Increase awareness in the missions community of the special needs and abilities of their MKs

·        Partner with other missions organizations in a joint effort to effectively minister to MKs

·        Encourage MKs to explore career ministry and give them early opportunities to use their gifts and abilities